2024/25 League Cup Semi-Finals [to be played w/c 17 February 2025]

League Cup
SF1 – Tuesday 18 February 2025 at Takeley Sports & Social Club
Dunmow v Stansted Wackers
Referee/Scorer: Steve Burford

SF2 – w/c 17 February 2025 (teams to arrange) at Whittlesford Social Club
Whittlesford Flukes v Whittlesford
Referee/Scorer: teams to arrange

Just a reminder to all players to arrive at the semi-final venue by 7.20pm so that the blind draw can take place and the match card completed in time to enable the match to start promptly at 7.30pm.

View the League Cup drawsheet here

JD Sweeps League Cup – Last 16 Round [w/c 29 April 2024]

The JD Sweeps League Cup drawsheet for the Last 16 Round is online and all matches are to be played during w/c 29 April 2024.  All matches are to be played on the home team’s usual home league night and must be played during the scheduled league cup week or the team cancelling will forfeit the match.  The Quarter Finals will be played w/c 6 May 2024. 

Please could all home Captains remember to post the match result card on the SWDSL WhatsApp Group.

We would like to thank our new sponsor JD Sweeps.

To view the drawsheet click here.

2023/24 League Season – Please Submit Your Team & Player Registration Form

All Team Captains, it’s that time of year again!

Ahead of the AGM on Tuesday 1 August 2023, the DMC Leisure North Essex Snooker League requires your 2023/24 Team & Player Registration Form to be submitted to us no later than Sunday 16 July 2023.  The online registration form can be completed in a few minutes via the league website or the link below and automatically submits your entry to us.  In order to complete it you will need to have a mobile number and email address for each of the players that you wish to register.  Registered players will also prior to the start of the new season be added to our WhatsApp Group which many members find a useful way to keep up to date with league results and news.

Click here to complete and submit your form now!

Should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact either Peter Saville (Treasurer/Website Administrator) or Simon Chapman (League Secretary) in the first instance, many thanks.

2022/23 League Season – Roll of Honour

DMC Leisure North Essex Snooker League
2022/23 League Season – Roll of Honour

3 Player Division  
Champions – Dunmow Club
Runners Up – Stansted
High Break – Stuart Turner (100)

4 Player Division 
Champions – Stansted Ex-Newport
Runners Up – Widdington Warriors
High Break – Mark Patmore (32)

League Cup
Winners – Takeley Chipmunks
Runners Up – BS Golf Club 

Handicap Singles sponsored by Mullucks Wells
Winner – John Wiffen
Runner Up – Stuart Turner
High Break – Stuart Turner (55)

Handicap Doubles
Winner – Peter Barker & David Rose
Runner Up – Alex Way & Nick Johns
High Break – Stuart Turner (40)

Scratch Plus Singles
Winner – Peter Saville
Runner Up – Simon Chapman
High Break – Phil Chapman (41)

Scratch Singles sponsored by Autostore
Winner – Russell Huxter
Runner Up – Andrew Green
High Break – Stuart Turner / Russell Huxter (64)

Monday 24 April 2023: Three Player Division League Title Play-Off Match

For the first time since the 2013/14 league season, the Three Player Division has finished with two teams, Dunmow Club and Stansted, level on points won, matches won and level on their head-to-head results which means that there will be a play-off match to decide who wins the league title for the 2022/23 league season.

Accordingly, this has been arranged to be played on Monday 24 April 2023 at Saffron Snooker Club, play to start at 7.30pm. The match will take place on two tables.

All spectators are welcome to attend.

Play-Off Result: Dunmow Club 4-2 Stansted

*Dunmow Club win Three Player Division title

Stansted Ex-Newport Battle Through To Secure Four Player Division League Title

Congratulations to Stansted Ex-Newport who have won the 2022/23 Four Player Division League Title on the final match of their season.

Stansted finished level on both points won and matches won with Widdington Warriors but have secured the league title due to their better head-to-head record.

EGM – Tuesday 21 March 2023 [Chairman’s Meeting Notes]

Further to the EGM held at Takeley Sports & Social Club last night, by way of an update for those unable to attend, please find below the headline points from the Chairman’s Meeting Notes. Formal meeting minutes will be available upon request in due course for any members that wish to view them.

The Chairman was pleased to note that all teams intending to enter the league next season were represented at the meeting and thanked all those who attended.

Item 1 – Change of League Name

The members voted unaminously in favour for the league name to be changed from the ‘Saffron Walden & District Snooker League’ to the ‘North Essex Snooker League’. The league name is to be prefixed by the league sponsor DMC Leisure.

Item 2 –  Confirmation of League Format

The members voted unaminously in favour for The Three Player and Four Player Divisions to both continue in the same format as the current league season with the option for the Three Player Division teams to play each other twice in each half season dependant on the the number of teams entering and fit into the season calendar.

Item 3 – League Fees

The members voted unaminously in favour for the proposed restructuring of league fees for the new season. League fees to be reviewed again prior to the 2024-25 league season.

Item 4 – AOB

Options to hold the President’s Cup next season were discussed and the Tournaments Sub-Committee will consider these further.

A poster will be made available for all Clubs to display to advertise the league’s activities to try and encourage snooker players who are members of existing clubs to form new league teams for next season. This will also be sent out to past league venues where potential new/ex-league players are still active.

Our New Website Name – www.snooker-league.org

As part of an update to the league website, the eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that our website name has recently changed!

Yes, our previous website name of www.swdsl.co.uk has now been replaced with www.snooker-league.org so please update any favourite tabs or bookmarks that you may have set up on your phone, tablet or computer.

Both website names will continue to point to the same website until early March 2023 when the swdsl name expires.

NOTICE : EGM – Tuesday 21 March 2023

The Committee of the DMC Leisure Saffron Walden & District Snooker League hereby give notice that an Extraordinary General Meeting [EGM] will be held at Takeley Sports & Social Club on Tuesday 21 March 2023 at 7.45pm.  All registered league members are invited to attend, and all teams that intend to compete next season should send along at least one representative.

This meeting has been called by the Committee to discuss the future and format of the league ahead of the new season. We are aware that with JP’s Snooker & Pool Club confirming that they will unfortuantely not be entering the league next season that rumours have been circulating amongst some players that the league is folding at the end of this season. These rumours are totally unfounded and we wish to reassure all players that the league is very much planning to continue and build upon it’s 60 years of supporting local league snooker.

The following matters will be discussed and where necessary voted upon at the EGM so that we can plan for the 2023/24 league season (and beyond) in a postive manner;

DRAFT AGENDA

1. Chairman’s Welcome

2. Apologies for Absence

3. Matters for Discussion

Item 1 – Change of League Name

The Committee propose that the ‘Sponsor’s Name’ Saffron Walden & District Snooker League be rebranded as the ‘Sponsor’s Name’ North Essex Snooker League .  When the league was formed in 1962, all the inaugral teams played either in the town or on the boundary of Saffron Walden.  As the league has grown over the years we now stretch to venues in towns much further afield and the Committee feel it is important that our league name should be changed to more accurately reflect our current geographical playing area. 

As part of this rebranding proposal, the league logo and the website domain name would also be updated.

a) Any proposals for alternative league names to be considered and discussed

b) Vote on the proposal(s)

Item 2 –  Confirmation of League Format

This season we started with 8 teams competing in the Three Player Division and 4 teams competing in the Four Player Division.  With JP’s Snooker & Pool Club confirming that they are unable to field teams in our league next season due their commitment to other snooker leagues which they were taking part in before they entered our league, the Three Player Division will have 6 teams competing with the Four Player Division remaining at 4. 

Having consulted with the Captains of the Four Player division teams and given the fact that two teams are already formed with Three Player Division players, it is their wish to continue in the Four Player division rather than join the Three Player which the Committee understands and respects in full.  It is therefore proposed by the Committee that the 6 teams competing in the Three Player division play each other once home and once away in each half of the season so that 10 matches are played in each half, a total of 20 matches for the season.

Teams home nights would continue as being either on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

a) Any proposals for alternative league format to be considered and discussed

b) Vote on the proposal(s)

Item 3 – League Fees

It was agreed by the members at the AGM last year that in lieu of small individual trophies, a larger team keep-sake trophy would be awarded for the team winners of the Three Player Division, Four Player Division and League Cup only.  As trophies were our largest single expense, as a result our overhead running costs are now somewhat reduced.  This decision was taken in response to the fact that trophies have been significantly increasing in cost each year and due to a variety of factors have been difficult to source to maintain the quality, type and quantity that we have ordered in the past.

Accordingly, it is proposed by the Committee that league fees be reduced as follows;

Team Entry Fee: £5 per team (previously £10)

Player Registration Fee: £1 per player (previously £2)

League Match Fee: £0.50 per frame (previously £0.75)

Tournament Entry Fees: The Handicap Singles, Scratch Singles, Scratch Plus Singles and Handicap Doubles tournaments will remain as free to enter for all registered league players.  

This financial restructuring will ensure that the league can maintain its current expenditure levels without adding to league funds.  It is likely that the league will run at a small deficit going forward which is more than manageable given our current financial position.

a) Any proposals for alternative league fees structure

b) Vote on the proposal(s)

4. AOB

Should any member wish to submit an item for the Agenda or propose any alternatives to the above matters, please email to swdsl@live.co.uk and we will confirm receipt. These must be received by the League Secretary Simon Chapman no later than 7 days prior to the EGM which is Tuesday 14 March 2023.

League Cup Semi-Finals [to be played w/c 30 January 2023]

League Cup
SF1 – Monday 30 January 2023 at Stansted Social Club
Widdington Warriors v Takeley Chipmunks
Referee/Scorer: Peter Barker

SF2 – Tuesday 31 January 2023 at Takeley Sports & Social Club
BS Golf Club v Stansted Ex Newport
Referee/Scorer: Steve Burford

Just a reminder to all players to arrive at the semi-final venue by 7.20pm so that the blind draw can take place and the match card completed in time to enable the match to start promptly at 7.30pm.

View the League Cup drawsheet here

NOTICE : Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 12 July 2022

The Committee of the DMC Leisure Saffron Walden & District Snooker League hereby give notice that the Annual General Meeting will be held at Takeley Sports & Social Club on Tuesday 12 July 2022 at 8pm.  All registered league members are invited to attend, and all teams that intend to compete next season should send along at least one representative.  It is a compulsory requirement that a representative of any NEW teams and clubs attend so their application to join the league can be approved by the membership.

Should any member wish to submit an item for the Agenda or propose either an amendment to an existing league rule or propose a new league rule, these must be received by the League Secretary Simon Chapman no later than 28 days prior to the AGM which is Tuesday 14 June 2022.

Please send any items/proposals via email to swdsl@live.co.uk or via the Online Form on the league website, and we will confirm receipt.

The Committee are considering proposing a change to the current application of the Miss Rule to alleviate the judgement part for the referee as to whether a miss should be called or not based upon the players ability.

We are considering applying the full miss rule as used in the professional game with the caveat that there will be a maximum of three miss calls in any given situation and a miss will not be called following a fourth failed escape. Thereafter the normal foul rule applies and the non-offending player has the option to play from where the balls have landed or ask the offending player to play again, thus no advantage should be gained from where the balls finish after the failed fourth attempt.

Changing the current application that we have would ensure that the miss rule can be applied by all referees consistently throughout the league every time a player fails to hit a ball on. It is currently not being applied fairly or consistently due to the wide range of players abilities in the league and both players and referees having a difference of opinion on whether a snooker is easy or difficult to escape from.

We would welcome any thoughts or alternative proposals that you may wish to put forward on this prior to the proposal being finalised and voted upon at the AGM.

Should you wish to discuss any matters prior to them being submitted then please do not hesitate to contact either the League Secretary or any member of the Committee.

2021/22 League Season – Tournament Semi Finals / Finals Schedule [updated 07.05.22]

To all those players and teams that have made it through to the latter stages of a league tournament…congratulations!

The dates for all Semi Finals and Finals were published at the start of the season on the Season Calendar and were also detailed on each tournament drawsheet.  Please ensure that you are available to play on the designated date below otherwise you will unfortunately have to withdraw from the tournament. Results will be added to this page as matches are played, all drawsheets are now updated to include the draws for the semi-finals.

Please remember that a dress code applies to all Finals which is trousers, smart polo shirt or shirt (single colour), and shoes, NO jeans, trainers, t-shirts, tracksuits. Failure to adhere to the dress code will result in the match being conceded.
The dress code DOES NOT APPLY TO SEMI-FINALS.

The start time for all Semi-Finals and Finals is 7.30pm unless detailed otherwise.
As per League Rule 28 – For semi finals and finals, where a referee has been appointed and a start time for the match set, if a team, pair or player are not at the match table ready to start at the set time then a frame shall be conceded from the offending player.  If after 15 minutes, play is still not underway, a further frame shall be conceded.  The match shall be conceded 30 minutes after the start time set, regardless of the number of frames outstanding.  The enforcement of this rule is at the discretion of the referee and the non-offending player(s)/Team Captain.

Handicap Doubles
SF1 – Wednesday 6 April 2022 at Takeley Sports & Social Club
Chapman/Chapman w/o Starr/Starr
Referee/Scorer: Trevor Parsons/Steve Burford

SF2 – Wednesday 6 April 2022 at Dunmow Club
Parrot/Wrentmore 1-2 Hewitt/Cooper
Referee/Scorer: Stuart Turner

Final – Tuesday 12 April 2022 at Takeley Sports & Social Club, 8pm start
Chapman/Chapman 2-1 Hewitt/Cooper
Referee/Scorer: Trevor Parsons/Steve Burford
High Break: –

Handicap Singles
SF1 – Monday 11 April 2022 at Dunmow Club, 7.30pm start
Mark Patmore 3-0 Clive Ellet
Referee/Scorer: Stuart Turner

SF2 – Monday 11 April 2022 at JPs Snooker & Pool Club, 7.30pm start
Phil Chapman 3-1 Andrew Green
Referee/Scorer: –

Final – Wednesday 27 April 2022 at Takeley Sports & Social Club, 7.30pm start
Mark Patmore 1-3 Phil Chapman
Referee/Scorer: Trevor Parsons/Steve Burford
High Break: Stuart Turner 59

Scratch Plus Singles
SF1 – Tuesday 19 April 2022 at Takeley Sports & Social Club, 8pm start
Peter Saville 0-3 Mark Patmore
Referee/Scorer: Trevor Parsons/Steve Burford

SF2 – Tuesday 19 April 2022 at JPs Snooker & Pool Club, 7.30pm start
Chris Clarke 3-0 Bob Fox
Referee/Scorer: –

Final – Monday 9 May 2022 at Dunmow Club, 7.30pm start
Mark Patmore 3-2 Chris Clarke
Referee/Scorer: Stuart Turner
High Break: Mark Patmore 28

Scratch Singles
SF1 – Wednesday 20 April 2022 at JPs Snooker & Pool Club, 7.30pm start
Alex Clenshaw 3-2 Jack Hayley
Referee/Scorer: –

SF2 – Wednesday 20 April 2022 at Stansted Social Club, 7.30pm start
Darren Edmonston 0-3 Russell Huxter
Referee/Scorer: Simon Chapman

Final – Saturday 7 May 2022 at JPs Snooker & Pool Club, 7pm start
Russell Huxter 1-4 Alex Clenshaw
Referee/Scorer: Stuart Turner
High Break: Alex Clenshaw 98

League Cup
SF1 – Wednesday 27 April 2022 at Saffron Snooker Club, 7.30pm start
Saffron SC Ex-Cons 1-3 JPs Outlaws
Referee/Scorer: Stewart Hart

SF2 – Wednesday 6 April 2022 at Stansted Social Social Club
Dunmow Club 3-2 Stansted Ex Newport
Referee/Scorer: Steve Burford/Trevor Parsons

Final – Wednesday 4 May 2022 at Stansted Social Club, 7.30pm start
Dunmow Club 3-0 JPs Outlaws
Referee/Scorer: Peter Barker/Martin Corbishley

The main trophies that are engraved each year will be presented to the winners at the AGM – date to be confirmed. Following feedback from players over the last couple of seasons, the league is no longer providing keepsake trophies for winners and runners up.

**CANCELLED** 2022 President’s Cup Tournament – Sunday 3 April 2022

Unfortunately due to only receiving 9 confirmed paid entries, the President’s Cup has been cancelled for this season. For those that entered, please contact the Treasurer, Peter Saville with your bank details and he will arrange for your entry fee to be refunded. The Committee will review the format of this tournament for next season to see whether it can be incorporated as a tournament held over the season (as the Handicap Singles is) rather than as a day tournament which may help secure more entries.

Quarter Finals Round – All Tournaments

The drawsheets for the Quarter Finals Round of the Handicap Singles, Handicap Doubles, Scratch Singles and Scratch Plus Singles are now updated on the league website.  Please note that all matches are to be arranged by 14 March 2022 and played by 28 March 2022.

Please could the winner of each match report the result directly to the Tournament Secretary Stuart Turner or post on the SWDSL WhatsApp Group within 24 hours to enable the tournament drawsheets to be updated for the next round.

Should you encounter any issues in trying to contact your opponent then please contact Stuart Turner on 07879-463089.

As per previous seasons, the Tournament Secretary respectfully requests that all players that are still in the Quarter Finals of either the Handicap Singles, Handicap Doubles, Scratch Plus Singles and Scratch Singles to check the drawsheet to ensure that they are available to play on the dates listed for the semi-finals or final for that tournament.  Tournament dates are set in stone and will not be changed if you cannot make it – whatever your reason may be.

If you are not available then please do not play your Quarter Final match – inform the Tournament Secretary and you will be withdrawn from the tournament.

It is not fair on your opponent to play a Quarter Final match and win knowing that you cannot make either the semi-final or final.  Any players doing so will be illegible to enter the same tournament next season.

League Rule Clarification: Playing a League Match with a Player Short

Following recent confusion between team Captains with regards to the correct procedure to follow when playing a league match with a player short, the Committee wish to clarify the league rules and how they should be followed.

With regards to the Three Player Division, the team attending the match with a player short, ie two players writes down the order of play for the first four frames in the usual way, either first as the home team, or after as the away team. The non-offending Captain then selects one of the two players in the offending team to play either a further two frames (ie four in total) to replace the player 3, or can choose for both players to play an extra frame each (ie three in total). This selection can be done at the start of the match OR after the first four frames have been played. In accordance with league rule 21, the match result in points won shall stand but the offending team shall be deducted two points from their aggregate total.

With regards to the Four Player Division, this follows generally the same principle as the Three Player except the non-offending Captain selects one of the three players in the team that is a player short to play an extra frame. Again, this can be undertaken at the start of the match or after three frames have been played. In accordance with league rule 18, the match result in points won stands but the offending team shall be deducted one point from their aggregate total.

With COVID restrictions now being eased across the country, the Committee are from w/c 7 February 2022 reinstating penalty point(s) deductions for teams playing with one player short.